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This sector offers a diverse range of jobs in central government departments and public bodies, the civil service, and local government. There are opportunities for graduates from many different degree disciplines in general graduate schemes for management careers, as well as jobs in specific professions.
Local government has employees working in a wide range of careers, including accountancy, HR, IT, marketing, legal services, social work and many more, so you should check the information for those sectors too to help you in your decision making.
If you are considering this sector, you may be attracted by the opportunity to have an impact on national issues or to do a job that will make a difference in your local community.
Listen: York Graduate Will talks about life on the Civil Service Fast Stream in our What do you actually do? podcast
The Civil Service is involved in formulating and implementing government policy. Civil servants offer support and advice on policy-making to ministers, and provide services direct to the public. The Civil Service is one of the country's largest employers, recruiting economists, statisticians, researchers, scientists, engineers, HR professionals, experts in technology and many others. Recruitment is from all subject disciplines.
Although it serves the government of the day, the Civil Service is politically independent.
Local government offers a variety of graduate careers, through the National Graduate Development Programme or direct entry roles. Councils have responsibility for the delivery of local services (for example, social care, education, housing, transport, leisure), as well as formulating local policy. The sector has to be accountable, is target driven and is expected to embrace new working practices, innovation and development.
The public sector as a whole employs around 18% of people in employment across the UK (ONS 2024).
Key resources to help you understand the sector include:
The skills needed will depend on the individual job role; specialist posts may require specific subject knowledge. However valuable skills for this sector will include:
The Civil Service Success Profiles comprise five elements: ability, technical, behaviours, strengths, experience. The Civil Service Behaviours are one element of the profiles; you can find helpful guidance on the Civil Service website on how to approach these in your application.
The LGA website lists skills and behaviours essential for work in local government.
Work experience is invaluable for entry into this competitive sector. Ideally work experience will give you some practical experience in the job you are interested in, give you a greater insight into work in the sector, and build on your skills and knowledge. If you don't manage to get work experience in your chosen area of work, any work experience will give you the opportunity to develop the transferable skills that are important to employers. Consider volunteer roles too, as these can be equally valuable, particularly in demonstrating your commitment and values.
Recruitment into this sector takes place year-round, as needs arise. However, the main recruitment period for the Civil Service Fast Stream is usually early September to the end of October, sometimes with a second round in the spring.
Some graduates enter this sector via administrative or office assistant jobs which help build up relevant skills before applying for a managerial post.
The following sites may be useful in looking for vacancies:
Make sure you don't miss the deadlines for the Fast Stream, other civil service jobs and NGDP by setting up job alerts from their recruitment pages; see what kinds of jobs come up and when to inform your job search strategy. If possible have a conversation with the recruiter to see what they're really hoping for, in addition to reading the job ad.
The Civil Service Fast Stream recruitment process has several phases, including online tests, work based scenarios, and a video interview. Successful applicants from these stages may then complete further tests (depending on the chosen scheme), followed by a half day assessment centre and a final selection assessment. You will be assessed against a range of behaviours and strengths. The Fast Stream FAQs include information about the application and recruitment process, including an assessment centre guide.
Nationality requirements may apply to Civil Service posts - check the relevant websites before applying.
The NGDP recruitment process includes an online application, video interview, assessment and interviews with potential local authority hosts. For other council jobs, the recruitment process will usually consist of an application and interview (which may include a presentation or additional assessment), pre-employment clearance, if relevant (eg DBS criminal records check), and job offer.
Find out more about applications and recruitment, and how to prepare.
Find the full list of graduate profiles on York Profiles and Mentors.
You can also find and connect with York alumni working in this sector on LinkedIn.